Ullman Bernard L MD

My mother has been seeing Dr. Ullman for almost ten years. Each time, we wait about 45 minutes to one hour. The last visit, there were no available seats in the waiting room so I had to stand. The office staff doesn’t seem to really care about anything other than lunch and 5:00 pm. The doctor is okay, but what makes visiting him unbearable are the people «working» in the front office.

Don’t entrust your medical care to this doctor! My husband visited Dr Ullman on 1÷5÷16 and had a requested MRI done on 2÷16÷16. Today is 3÷28÷16 and though we received an $ 18,000 bill from the insurance company — NO ONE from Dr Ullman’s office has returned my husband’s phone call asking about his diagnosis. Why go see a doctor who sends you for further tests then doesn’t give you the results? Whose office does not return phone calls? Who leaves you with a huge medical bill? FOR WHAT?

My husband was recommended to Dr. Ullman by his Internist for lower leg issues. Dr. Ullman did not even want to look at the blood work /​ultra sound his Internist had done, he did not order any tests done other than blood work on his legs and his touching his lower limbs. He told my husbane that he had neuropathy (I was there and heard his diagnosis) and to come back in 3 months — not pleasant visit. After 2 months my husband went to see another doctor as we weren’t comfortable with the results of his visit with Dr. Ullman. Our spine surgeon doctor said to see an Infectious Disease doctor he recommended who diagnosed his issue as Cellulitis as he did not think he had neuropathy, he doesn’t, and he is now on the mend.

Substance over show
My dad has been seeing Dr. Ullman for years for Parkinson’s, and as it progressed I went to a couple of his appts. I was always impressed by Dr. Ullman’s knowledge and concern for my dad as a person, a human being. My dad participated in a physical therapy program designed for Parkinson’s patients which I understand Dr. Ullman pioneered over 12 years (I think more, but I can’t remember, so I’ve underestimated) through the burdensome government bureaucracy. I have been a federal and city gov’t. employee, so I understand what patience and persistence is necessary for such an accomplishment.
I recently injured my foot which unfortunately turned out to be a nerve injury. I searched and didn’t find any other stellar candidates, so I decided to go to Dr. Ullman myself. It’s a little weird to go to your parent’s doctor.
I was so impressed! He initially diagnosed a very severe and painful condition of which I didn’t grasp the implications. Then he paused, looked at me, and said, «This is very serious.» I thought to myself at the time, «Wow, he is perceptive enough to know that I wasn’t quite getting it.» I thought it was just like a sprained/​twisted ankle which I’ve had many times before from running. He described the condition, its history, its symptoms, etc. This is what impressed me most — he was concerned enough to recommend I return *every* week so he could monitor progress. From my many injuries, I have never experienced this type of treatment. Again, I felt he was concerned about me, about my condition, and that made a real impression. I mentioned I had yet another podiatrist appt. upcoming, and he urged me to go rather than cancel it.
That podiatrist who came highly recommended by more than one person — gave me a similar diagnosis but a very different mode of treatment — immobilize again. Since I knew they were both outstanding physicians, I called Dr. Ullman’s office asking to talk to him about the difference. I was at this point very scared because I did not want to encourage progression of this extremely painful condition and was confused how to proceed. Dr. Ullman did call me back and listened and then said it was OK to go with the other doctor’s treatment plan also since a podiatrist might have more experience with trauma. Again I was so impressed that he had the humility to consider and accept the advice of another physician for the good of the patient. My opinion is that only the absolutely exceptional people in this world are able to do this because they know they are good, they are not threatened, and they know their own limitations. He didn’t feel he had to defend his own position. Also that he encouraged me to get another viewpoint was a big plus. I have to say that supposedly wonderful podiatrist said basically he was the main guy, or he was out. He was not willing to work with another doctor or he’d remove himself from my care. Kind of turned me off since this is a neurological condition. I doubt I will be going back to him — regardless of his reputation.
I can imagine that a lot of people these days would like to have a very expressive, outgoing, touchy-​feely kind of doctor. Everyone tosses around the phrase «bedside manner» as this, and I think this is highly overrated and falsely associated. I mean, there are mean doctors who are disrespectful and insulting towards their patients — and I would not tolerate this poor bedside manner. However, most people seem to mistakenly associate appearances with real compassion. I don’t necessarily like that type of person who has a lot of fluff, tells me what I want to hear, but I question his substance and legitimacy/​honesty. Dr. Ullman is wonderful, but he is not that super-​charismatic salesguy personality if that’s what you need. That’s not what I need. I want and need a doctor who can put his patient first, who cares about me as a human being, who can put his own ego aside (THIS IS VERY RARE AMONG GOOD PHYSICIANS — from my experience as a patient and also from dating surgeons LOL) — and render a medically sound diagnosis. Three cheers and five stars for Dr. Ullman! Also, I did find his office staff quite friendly and efficient.